Published 11/14/2003
Owens Students Take Part In National Make a Difference Day

A group of Owens Community College students recently took it upon
themselves to give back in their community through volunteerism.
Benefiting from the selfless acts of kindness was the Boys and Girls Club
of Toledo.

As part of their volunteer initiative, the students assisted with the
organization's annual Halloween Party. More than 300 area youth ages seven
to 18 were treated to a variety of games and activities, highlighted by
pumpkin judging, basketball free throw shooting and ring toss contests. In
addition, individuals decorated pumpkins and broke piñatas filled with an
assortment of candy.

Among the students who participated in the Halloween Party were Tammy
Robinson of Toledo (Pre-Licensed Practical Nursing Program), Heidi Ladd of
Toledo (Associate of Science, General Concentration), Jonathan Stewart of
Sylvania (Pre-Nursing Program) and Jordan Burrows of Toledo (Computer
Programming Technology).

The volunteer efforts of Owens' students occurred in conjunction with a
nationwide event entitled Make a Difference Day. Sponsored by "USA
Weekend" Magazine, Make a Difference Day is a 24-hour service initiative
dedicated to encouraging individuals and organizations to help others by
volunteering. More than three million people participate in the event each
year.

The Boys and Girls Club of Toledo provides community service to over 6,000
area youth in the surrounding communities. With four locations in Toledo,
the organization is dedicated to promoting leadership, character building
and career development, while emphasizing social, cultural and educational
growth among children and young adults. The club utilizes professional
staff and volunteers to help instill a sense of self-esteem and
self-reliance in children to become productive citizens.

"I learned a lot from my volunteer experience," said Robinson, who was one
of the student volunteers. "Adults and young adults can have a very strong
influence on children and how they grow up. To be a positive person in a
child's life is a great feeling. I definitely plan on getting involved in
volunteer work again."

Assisting the students in their volunteer endeavors were Owens' faculty
members Dorothy Bonser and Bruce Gamble. The two professors served as the
students' advisors for Make a Difference Day and volunteered several hours
of their own time to help with the Halloween Party.

According to Bonser, an Owens Professor in Arts and Sciences, the students
decided to participate in Make a Difference Day as a way of better
understanding what it means to volunteer. "They wanted to know what it was
like to personally affect the lives of those in need," she said.

Bonser added, "Volunteering is an important facet of a person's life and I
am impressed with the enthusiasm from our students. Organized events, such
as Make a Difference Day, are admirable because so many people benefit
from the nationwide volunteer activism.

"Helping with the Boys and Girls Club was a great experience for all of
us. I hope that this is only the beginning of future volunteer efforts for
these students, and that there will be other activities in which they can
participate," she concluded.

Owens Community College is the fastest-growing higher educational
institution in Ohio with 26 consecutive semesters of enrollment increases.
On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than
40,000 credit and non-credit students making it the number one choice for
new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes,
personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College
offers over 130 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and
Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, Industrial and
Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years
of a bachelor 's degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year
college or university.